(Sheridan, Wyo.) — JoRee LaFrance, a woman who grew up in the Bighorns of
Wyoming and Montana, has been honored as one of 25 great Native youth
leaders nationwide.
JoRee attended Tongue River Middle School and High School in Dayton, before
transferring to school on the Crow Agency, Montana. She has been named one
of the “25 Under 25 Native Youth Leaders” by the United National Indian
Tribal Youth, Inc.
Dally had the privilege of catching up with JoRee over email, as she is a
student at Dartmouth College.
*Dally: On its website, UNITY explains that it recognizes "the achievements
of Native youth leaders under the age of 25, who embody UNITY’s core
mission and exudes living a balanced life developing their spiritual,
mental, physical and social well-being." How do you feel you exemplify that
mission? Or how do you hope to?*
*JoRee*: I think that living a balanced life is definitely a working
progress and it is something I am developing every day. My own people
inspire me everyday and they are the ones who are pushing me to become a
better person, holistically. We are all working together to improve our
lifestyles and I truly believe that feeding off those around you is the
best way to create improvement. I believe that through all of my current
and future work, each of these values are exemplified and integrated.
Everything that I have done or am doing is influenced by the well being of
my people and myself as we are trying to regain and live a balanced life.
*Dally: Can you us tell how growing up as a member of the Crow Nation has
shaped you into the person you are today? Do you feel you have a unique
role in this region of the country? *
*JoRee*: Yes, growing up as a Crow woman has definitely shaped the person
that I have become. I feel as if everything I do is influenced by the
actions and state of being of the Crow people especially as a culturally
preserved and sovereign nation. I am specifically interested in the tribal
energy development sector and the influence it has on the progress of
tribal sovereignty. I believe that I have a role and it is a matter of time
that, that role finds me. I am strong believer in the concept that
everything happens for a reason and you will be put in the right situation
at the right time for the right reasons. As a nation, the Crow people have
come to and need to understand their individual roles and how it can be a
collective process to the betterment of our people and tribe. I am only one
person and I put confidence in the notion that we all have to work
together, everyone is important in the movement towards a balanced life and
the Crow nation.
*Dally: You are at school right now, but do you hope to return home or take
your talents to other places in the world? *
*JoRee*: I know for a fact that I will return home but it is just a matter
of when I will (permanently) return home. I will fully grasp the
opportunities that may come my way and will use them as a tool and hope to
gain as much experience as possible. As long as I am helping/assisting to
the advancement of Indigenous communities, I am open to the opportunities,
challenges, friendships, and lessons that will come with it. Working for my
own people and being close to my loved ones would very ideal but, again, we
will see where my path decides to take me.
Congratulations, JoRee! Your home celebrates you.
*Feature photo: Taken by Diana Volk h/t JoRee LaFrance / Pitchengine
Communities*
#dally #news

(Sheridan, Wyo.) — JoRee LaFrance, a woman who grew up in the Bighorns of
Wyoming and Montana, has been honored as one of 25 great Native youth
leaders nationwide.
JoRee attended Tongue River Middle School and High School in Dayton, before
transferring to school on the Crow Agency, Montana. She has been named one
of the “25 Under 25 Native Youth Leaders” by the United National Indian
Tribal Youth, Inc.
Dally had the privilege of catching up with JoRee over email, as she is a
student at Dartmouth College.
*Dally: On its website, UNITY explains that it recognizes "the achievements
of Native youth leaders under the age of 25, who embody UNITY’s core
mission and exudes living a balanced life developing their spiritual,
mental, physical and social well-being." How do you feel you exemplify that
mission? Or how do you hope to?*
*JoRee*: I think that living a balanced life is definitely a working
progress and it is something I am developing every day. My own people
inspire me everyday and they are the ones who are pushing me to become a
better person, holistically. We are all working together to improve our
lifestyles and I truly believe that feeding off those around you is the
best way to create improvement. I believe that through all of my current
and future work, each of these values are exemplified and integrated.
Everything that I have done or am doing is influenced by the well being of
my people and myself as we are trying to regain and live a balanced life.
*Dally: Can you us tell how growing up as a member of the Crow Nation has
shaped you into the person you are today? Do you feel you have a unique
role in this region of the country? *
*JoRee*: Yes, growing up as a Crow woman has definitely shaped the person
that I have become. I feel as if everything I do is influenced by the
actions and state of being of the Crow people especially as a culturally
preserved and sovereign nation. I am specifically interested in the tribal
energy development sector and the influence it has on the progress of
tribal sovereignty. I believe that I have a role and it is a matter of time
that, that role finds me. I am strong believer in the concept that
everything happens for a reason and you will be put in the right situation
at the right time for the right reasons. As a nation, the Crow people have
come to and need to understand their individual roles and how it can be a
collective process to the betterment of our people and tribe. I am only one
person and I put confidence in the notion that we all have to work
together, everyone is important in the movement towards a balanced life and
the Crow nation.
*Dally: You are at school right now, but do you hope to return home or take
your talents to other places in the world? *
*JoRee*: I know for a fact that I will return home but it is just a matter
of when I will (permanently) return home. I will fully grasp the
opportunities that may come my way and will use them as a tool and hope to
gain as much experience as possible. As long as I am helping/assisting to
the advancement of Indigenous communities, I am open to the opportunities,
challenges, friendships, and lessons that will come with it. Working for my
own people and being close to my loved ones would very ideal but, again, we
will see where my path decides to take me.
Congratulations, JoRee! Your home celebrates you.
*Feature photo: Taken by Diana Volk h/t JoRee LaFrance / Pitchengine
Communities*
#dally #news